# data[].attributes.body
Illustrator Cao Zhen utilizes strong imagery and surrounding elements to highlight America's drug epidemic in a negative way. With the choice of dialogue that further implies Drug users as "zombies."

By constructing of what seems to be drug users with hallowed out features, holes in their arms, and ragged clothing the illustrator is setting the image up to see these people as something straight out of the TV show "the walking dead." Elements such as needles, emptied out bottles labeled "drugs" , and a fallen over trashcan on the ground. To the surrounding objects such as the American flag and worn down buildings, all of which lead to the assumption that this is a poor or marginalized area in America. Lastly, the choice of dialogue seals the image with short but impactful words. As the child innocently, but mistakenly refers to the people as zombies, the father solidifies this mistaken judgment as he looks at them in disgust and horror. This also signifies how many of our stigmas and stereotypes are learned from a young age, that influence our judgement later on in life.

# data[].attributes.body
Taken from an article written by Utah State University, the title begins the conversation as it is labeled "Person-First Language Guide" to imply that even though these people struggle with substance abuse, they are still human. It later gives an outline of alternative phrases we can use on this topic, to further humanize the situation.

"What we say matters" being the beginning of the title sends the message that when dealing with those that deal with substance abuse, choice of vocabulary is important. Lastly, as we see this guide on language, the words prior to the arrow are somewhat harsh and are often associated with negative things. Such as the word "addict", and "dirty". Sensitivity towards the situation also plays a major role as many of the words after the arrows include "a person" and more positive affirmations.

# data[].attributes.body
This video published by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition breaks down the idea of stigma to help the audience understand why it is so harmful. By also touching on uncommon topics, such as structural stigma and the harmful consequences to being stigmatized.

Beginning the video with the definition of the word stigma as "a mark of shame and embarrassment connected to a personality trait, quality, or behavior" helps the audience first gain a grasp of what this is. As the narrator furthers the conversation, he talks about the aspect of structural stigma and how it further marginalizes a group of people that need help the most. Another topic that is discussed is how most drug users are stigmatized twice, once as a drug user and second as a criminal; because of our society's heavy association with the two subjects.

# data[].attributes.body
Published by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, the use of personal anecdotes appeals to the audience as it helps to sympathize with real stories from real people.

Often it is hard for those to understand an issue because it has not personally affected them. This video adheres to that issue as they bring in multiple people to tell their stories of being stigmatized amongst their own community and family. Addressing issues such as negative association and lack of support it helps to put yourself into their shoes and recognize why stigma is so harmful.

# data[].attributes.body
To put this into a more relevant perspective, an article published by Derek Telep in January 27, 2024 addresses the substance abuse in college and how stigma plays a vital role through the use of statistics and data collection.

One of his main takeaways in this Op-ed is "understanding that addiction is not a choice but a neurobiological condition, essentially a brain disease.." as he uses stats to back up his main idea that most of this activity occurs during college. To further emphasize the role that stigma plays, he writes that "A student does not have to be partying every night or failing classes in order to become an addict. They just need to take one pill or one drink to trigger the onset of the disease..." To address the stigma that people who struggle with substance abuse, are just simply making poor decisions is very relevant to our society now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Op-ed: Confronting the stigma of substance abuse on campus - The Huntington News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Addiction does not discriminate; it affects people with or without a family history of abuse and takes down people from poor backgrounds, professional executives and famous celebrities. Understanding that addiction is not a choice but a neurobiological condition, essentially a brain disease, is key to saving people.

# data[].attributes.body
This journal addresses stigma related to the health care system that negatively treats those this a history of drug addictions, by supporting his information with interviews conducted with real participants.

With 71% of participants reporting some form of enacted stigma with health care workers, it shows how terrible it is for those who need help the most, to receive it. By including statistical information and conclusions to follow up show how it is not only a problem of today, but has been a problem as history of similar occurrences have been reported but never fully addressed within the health care system.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
“They look at us like junkies”: influences of drug use stigma on the healthcare engagement of people who inject drugs in New York City - Harm Reduction Journal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are a medically and socially vulnerable population with a high incidence of overdose, mental illness, and infections like HIV and hepatitis C. Existing literature describes social and economic correlations to increased health risk, including stigma. Injection drug use stigma has been identified as a major contributor to healthcare disparities for PWID. However, data on this topic, particularly in terms of the interface between enacted, anticipated, and internalized stigma, is still limited. To fill this gap, we examined perspectives from PWID whose stigmatizing experiences impacted their views of the healthcare system and syringe service programs (SSPs) and influenced their decisions regarding future medical care. Methods Semi-structured interviews conducted with 32 self-identified PWID in New York City. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Interview transcripts were coded using a grounded theory approach by three trained coders and key themes were identified as they emerged. Results A total of 25 participants (78.1%) reported at least one instance of stigma related to healthcare system engagement. Twenty-three participants (71.9%) reported some form of enacted stigma with healthcare, 19 participants (59.4%) described anticipated stigma with healthcare, and 20 participants (62.5%) reported positive experiences at SSPs. Participants attributed healthcare stigma to their drug injection use status and overwhelmingly felt distrustful of, and frustrated with, medical providers and other healthcare staff at hospitals and local clinics. PWID did not report internalized stigma, in part due to the availability of non-stigmatizing medical care at SSPs. Conclusions Stigmatizing experiences of PWID in formal healthcare settings contributed to negative attitudes toward seeking healthcare in the future. Many participants describe SSPs as accessible sites to receive high-quality medical care, which may curb the manifestation of internalized stigma derived from negative experiences in the broader healthcare system. Our findings align with those reported in the literature and reveal the potentially important role of SSPs. With the goal of limiting stigmatizing interactions and their consequences on PWID health, we recommend that future research include explorations of mechanisms by which PWID make decisions in stigmatizing healthcare settings, as well as improving medical care availability at SSPs.